I was talking to a friend who went climbing at KP (in Brisbane) last night. She had a wee accident whereby, finishing her climb and coming down (as the climb was top rope) the belayer let the rope slip and she fell approx 2 metres hitting her shin against the rock, cutting herself and badly bruising her lower leg.

Later the belayer was talking to my mate, turned around and quote, “It’s happened to me, so don’t worry about it too much”.

My argument is, I know that we’re all not too keen on being belay bunnies, THOUGH, looking at it from the safety aspect, I strongly believe, when belaying, you need to remember that you literally have someone else’s life in your hands.

All to true M8, climbing is all about trust (trust your gear, trust your feet, etc) not being able to trust your partner denegrates the experience for all.

“It is unusual to entrust our wellbeing to others, yet in climbing this happens quite often, especially when climbing a climb at the limit of your ability, when a fall is almost expected. Friendships formed through such trust and shared experiences aren’t influenced by social status, nationality, gender or other preference. Friendships develop because each partner is willing to give and support, not blindly but with judgement.” (Martin, 1995)

Just a short quote borrowed from Peter Martin, I think it highlights the imporatance of trust in a climbing relationship. The quote apeared in a paper I prepared titiled "The Value of the Climbing Experience"

People who are unsafe don't dress in bright orange t-shirts so you can recognise them, but they are warning signs like this story shows. Whilst it may be uncharacteristic for them , if they have a care-free attitude, seem to be a bit sloppy, or often pre-occupied with the something else, take note.

I have climbed with quite a few poeple, but there are some people I do avoid, and have made a conscience decision that I don't like aspects of their rope handling / skills which I think are unsafe. They may never actually have an accident, but you have to play perceantages. As someone said "luck is where opportunity meets preparation".The same goes in reverse. When you team up with someone, by chance sometimes, you should still make a conscience decisons that your OK climbing with them. You can say no.